(Picture caption: Terina Cowan at her recent farewell from the Ministry for Pacific Peoples.)
Having seen the Ministry for Pacific Peoples (MPP) evolve and grow over six and a half years, Chief Advisor to the Secretary for Pacific Peoples Terina Cowan (Ngatangiia, Rarotonga and Ngati Porou) is continuing her journey in the public sector, taking up a new role at Te Puni Kōkiri.
“I am taking on the role of Deputy Secretary Organisational Support – ensuring the organisation is enabled to achieve the vision,” Terina explains.
“This is another area I am passionate about, and I will be contributing towards realising the vision of Thriving Whānau – a vision underpinned by the idea that when whānau are thriving, so are their communities, hapū, iwi and all of Aotearoa.
“I get to contribute and serve in a way that keeps me close to my Ngāti Porou heritage; and a vision of my Māori grandparents.”
Throughout her career, Terina has worked in policy roles, focused on improving outcomes for Māori and Pacific communities, and serving her community and paying legacy to her familial roots is integral to her work.
In recent years, Terina’s work has focused on improving MPP’s profile through resetting the strategic direction, system influence and partnership and lifting organisational performance.
In 2019, Terina headed the refresh of the Ministry’s strategic vision and goals, which included extensive consultation with Pacific communities, government agencies and Ministers.
“The result was the Lalanga Fou Pacific Aotearoa Report, which provided the framework and mandate to reset our strategic direction; and subsequently formed the basis for the All of Government Pacific Wellbeing Strategy and the growth in budget investment we have received to date.
“A highlight for me, has been setting the Pacific Vison of a thriving prosperous and confident Pacific Aotearoa – and realising the vison is for the community but also for me personally.
“My own Cook Island grandparents had the same vision when they migrated to New Zealand from a small village Ngatangiia in Rarotonga for a better life.
“It is a privilege I get to live and contribute to that vision today.”
The Pacific Aotearoa approach has also framed our COVID-19 response and engagement approach, including investing in resilience building activities that not only ensure our communities not only absorb shocks, but bounce back.
Terina says the opportunities she was presented with at MPP have allowed her to grow and flourish as a Pacific female leader in the public service.
“I am grateful to have had the opportunity to contribute alongside other talented people at MPP to build a vison and gain investment and opportunities that make a tangible difference in the lives of Pacific communities”
“Seeing our community grow and become prosperous because of the work that we do here at MPP has been hugely rewarding.
“The Ministry is in a strong position to carry on the important work; and I know MPP will continue to create a strong platform for the Pacific community which allows their ideas, concerns and issues to be solved in ways which are meaningful to them.”